Can't get Dell U2711 to work consistently at 2560x1440

You need to remove your Mac's windowserver preference files.

Do this by deleting the following items:

/Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist

/Users/[username]/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver.[number].plist

After you've done that, reset your PRAM — turn off your computer, press the Power key and then press and hold the Option + Command + P + R keys at the same time until you hear a second startup chime.

After you've done that everything should be back to normal 🙂

I have the same problem with my MacBook Pro 13" early 2011 model and Dell Ultrasharp U2711 monitor since the upgrade to OS X 10.9 Mavericks. Neither the original Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter nor a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable works, after about five minutes the monitor goes to power-saving mode.

I already tried to reset the reset the NVRAM and PRAM as described there http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379 and deleted the files which dankando mentioned.

Nothing worked until now 😟

Any ideas?

I believe the issues you are having are related to the Mac not sending the correct RGB Colour Space signal to the Dell U2711 and that is why it is reporting it as a TV:

Follow the link below for a permanent software fix to force RGB output:

http://www.ireckon.net/2013/03/force-rgb-mode-in-mac-os-x-to-fix-the-picture-qua lity-of-an-external-monitor

I tried this and it worked for abaout 20 to 30 minutes. Than the monitor goes to energy saving mode again and only comes back for another 20 to 30 minutes after a full restart.

Under this circumstances it’s now impossible to work with a Apple MacBook Pro 13" (early 2011) with OS X 10.9.1 Mavericks and a Dell Ultrasharp U2711. Very bad support from Apple…

I hope there will be a fix in OS X 10.9.2.

Hi,

I have exactly the same issue.

Tried a few things (restetting vram etc) with apple support on the phone, changed cables and nothing worked. I even got a new replacement model from Dell to check if it might be the monitors problem but I still have the same issue even with the new model.

Did you come across any solution? Have you tried the rgb patch?

i use a mid2012 macbook pro non retina by the way

Hi Michael,

no, until now there is no solution. I’ve tried the RGB patch but this was not successful. I’ve tried a lot of different cables as well, no improvement.

The thing is: my early 2011 13" MBP worked well with the screen with OS X 10.7 and 10.8. Since the upgrade to OS X 10.9 Mavericks it’s not working anymore. And that’s very bad. Just like Apple made my 27" Screen useless. 😟

Martin

same happened to me - it all started after upgrading to 10.9. Mavericks.

the screen is pretty much useless at the moment and unfortunately it hasen't been fixed in 10.9.2.

But what I am wondering is - the Dell U2711 is quite a popular screen. But it seems that the majoity hasn't had the issue as we have. Otherwise there would be a lot more comments and questions online.

So do you think it might be a hardware defect at the end?

Is there any (easy) way to get the old OS back? or is that not recommendable?

Michael

I've had a MacBookPro (~2008/2009 model) to U2711 set-up since 2011, and yesterday the **** monitor kicked into "eternal power saver mode". A tech support guy at Dell insisted that the problem was with my Mac (old driver), HOWEVER, we confirmed that when the laptop wasn't even connected, the monitor defaulted to Power Saver mode. Hmmm...perhaps this has something to do with the monitor?! 😐

Here's the fix that actually worked for me:

1. Disconnect the mini-DVI cable from your laptop. (I'm pretty sure that's the cable I have.)
2. Turn off your monitor.
3. Unplug your monitor.
4. Hold down the monitor's power button for two minutes (to "release the energy"...or, perhap, "release the hounds?")
5. Plug your monitor back in.
6. Turn on your monitor.
7. Reconnect your cable to your laptop. (Okay, perhaps you do those last two steps in reverse order. I'm tired and cranky at the moment.)

Voila! It worked.

It took my Mac display a few minutes to get sorted out again (it looked "foggy", for lack of a better term), but everything's working just fine now. We'll see if it holds....

I'm having the same issue with El Capitan. I disconnected the monitor and when I plugged it back in the issue appeared. I tried all solutions I could find. Reset the monitor. Delete the settings and do a PRAM reset. Use a different cable.

All the best

Benedikt